A fundraising campaign could lead to a 131-acre natural recreation area along Lake Michigan's shoreline in Port Washington

The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust is raising funds to purchase 131 acres of lakefront property in Port Washington to create a natural recreation area, similar to Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve.

Situated just north of Lion's Den, this new natural area, called Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs Nature Preserve, features three-quarters of a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline accented by 100-foot-high clay bluffs.

The land trust plans to add miles of improved trails, Lake Michigan overlooks and a staircase that will descend through a cedar-lined gorge to the shoreline.

The land trust plans to purchase the parcel for an undisclosed price from Waukesha State Bank, which owns 227 acres of property in the area.

The bank had planned to sell this property to developer Tom Swarthout, who received city approval to build 68 high-end homes and a vineyard east of Highway C, as well as five homes and a winery west of the highway near Stonecroft Drive.

Although he has struggled to obtain financing for the Cedar Vineyards project, Swarthout said he still plans to develop the nearly 80 acres north of the Cedar Gorge Ravine Nature Area.

Keith Van De Laarschot, commercial business development director for Waukesha State Bank, said he has retained a land planning firm to create a concept plan for the 80-acre parcel that would be presented to the city and eventually shopped to developers.

Just to the west of the preserve, Waukesha State Bank owns a 30-acre parcel west of Highway C near Stonecroft Drive. The bank has accepted an offer for that lot from a private party who intends to build a house and horse farm, Van De Laarschot said.

If that property should become available, the land trust has expressed interest in purchasing it as well, citing the ecological importance of preserving an east-west connection between the Ulao Swamp and Lake Michigan.

Ecological significance

Tom Stolp, executive director of the land trust, said the proposed Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs Nature Preserve would help reduce the crowds at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors per year.

Having two large, contiguous areas of protected land will also attract birds, he said.

"The locally significant natural areas, critical species habitat and adjacency to the lake’s scenic open waters makes this preserve especially valuable as a stop-over site for thousands of migrating birds using the Lake Michigan flyway," Stolp said.

Stolp said the Ozaukee Interurban Trail may be extended to Lion's Den and the new preserve, linking the natural areas to downtown Port Washington on the north.

The preserve has the support of Port Washington Mayor Marty Becker, who said in a news release the natural area will balance out future residential and business development in the city.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve the recreation opportunities and scenic shoreline views that make the City of Port Washington a first class Lake Michigan community," Becker said. "I know that Port Washington residents and visitors are going to love this preserve.”

Fundraising campaign

Ozaukee Washington Land Trust will lead the purchase of the property and is partnering with Ozaukee County on a fundraising effort.

Once the property is purchased, Ozaukee County will own and manage the land with public access to the property, which will be permanently protected as a nature preserve in the Ozaukee County park system.

Stolp said the land trust commissioned an independent appraisal to determine the purchase price, which he expects will be made public Nov. 1.

"Based on our experience of putting together conservation projects like this and our real estate expertise, we believe that we have negotiated a very good value for our community,” Stolp said.

The land trust, in partnership with county officials, has secured $1 million in funding, including $200,000 from Ozaukee County, a $125,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Joint Venture Program and other donations totaling $376,000.

"There are few opportunities to keep special places like Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs available to the public," Ozaukee County Board Chairman Lee Schlenvogt said. "Because of this, the county will work through the grant process with our board members to make sure that we do not miss an opportunity. At the same time, we must safeguard the investment of our taxpayers, many of whom are struggling to pay their bills in 2020.”

The land trust anticipates needing an additional $2 million in contributions in addition to anticipated grants through the state Department of Natural Resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Those who want to contribute to the campaign should visit www.owlt.org.